Mail-packeting machine.



APPLIUATION FILED A153.. 30,1903.

` MAIL PAOKETING MACHINE.

H. W. REIPBNSTEIN & C. J. FOX.

j s vvmey- :Rs co.. WASI-"Naro". n. c`

H.. W. REIPENSTEIN a. fc. J. FOX.

MAIL PAGKETING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED 22.30.1908.

lPatenteo'l Feb. 9, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

unirse STATES 'PATENT ermee.

HENRY W. REIFENSTEIN AND CHARLES J. FOX, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

specincacion of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 30, 1908. Serial No. 430,221.

Patented Feb. 9, 1909.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY W.- REIFEN- s'rEIN and CnARLEs J. Fox, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mail-Packeting Machines, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improven ments in mail packeting machines foruse in mail cars, post offices, and other places where it is necessary to select and bind together letters and other mail destined for specific localities or stations. At the resent time, it is customary for the mail c erks to bind these letters together in bundles or packets by suitable binding twine which although done as expeditiously as possible, nevertheless consumes considerable valuable time and a large amount of twine which is invariably wasted by reasonof the fact that when the packet reaches its destination, the twine is cut and thrown away thereby entailing a considerable expense in the handling of mail.

Our main object is to provide a simple practical and efficient machine or device involving the use of se arable self-closing clamps between which tie bundle of letters are held and which may be continuously reused thereby avoiding the use and consequent waste and expense of twine. ln other words, we have sought to produce a letter packeting device by which the letters and other mail may be more expeditiously secured in packages or bundles than by the use of twine, thereby enabling a less number of clerks to perform the same amount of work that is required by the present force, and in less time.

Other objects and uses relating to specific parts of our invention will be brought out in the following description.y

In the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are respectively transverse and longitudinal vertical sectional views of a letter packeting lmachine embodying the various features of our invention showing the yclamps as separated to their maximum degree for the reception of a bundle or package of letters indicated in full lines, Vthe upper clamp and its operating means being shown by dotted lines in position for retracting said upper clamp against the upper face of the package. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the detached platesl and clamping means therefor with a undle of letters clamped between them. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively transverse and longitudinal sectional views of the clamps and retracting means shown in their closed position showing also the upper portions of the lunger rods by which the upper clamp is e evated against said rctracting means. Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views respectively of the upper and lower clamps.

These machines are adapted to be installed side by side suitable distances apart upon any suitable support as a table or desk -A- and each comprises essentially a pair of separable clamping plates -1- and -2- adapted to be drawn together by one or more elastic retracting bands or stra s -3-, the lower plate -1- being detacliably interlocked with a iixed guide plate -4- while ythe up er plate -2- is adapted to be raised and owered by reciprocating plungers 5 connected together at their lower end by a cross head 6 having a roller bearing -7- which is engaged by a reciprocating plunger -8- having an inclined bearing face -9- riding against the under side of said roller. The guide plate -4- is securely fastened by clamping bolts 10- to the upper side of the table top or supporting bed -A- and is provided with undercut horizontal lengthwise guides -11- and vertical guides -12- the latter being located at the outside of the lengthwise guides -11-.

A pendent supporting frame -13- is secured by the bolts -10- to the under side of the table top or bed -1- and is provided at its lower side with a cross bar 111- having an under cut guide or way -15- for the reception of a similarly formed base on the plunger -8-. This plunger -8- is located substantially midway between the opposite sides oi" the frame 1S- and substantially midway between the plungers -5- and is movable horizontally back and Jforth in the guide --15- beneath the table top --1-, said bearing being provided with a suitable operating hand -16- projecting forwardly in the Jfront of the table *l* while the ineline *9* extends upwardly and rearwardly from the handle *16* and terininates in a horizontal bearing *i7 upon which the roller *7* inay rest to hold the plungers and upper plate Q* in their extreme upward positions when the plunger *8* is drawn to its extreine tor- Ward position, the rear end of the horizon al bearing face terminating in a stop *le* adapted to engage the rear end of the roller bearing *7* to limit the forward nievement oi' the plunger *S*.

The roller bearing *7* is centrally jonrnaled in the yoke *6* inidway between the lower ends et the plunger *5* and beneath the table top *l* and serves as an anti friction bearing to ride upon the incline *9* as the latter is drawn forwardly to elevate the plungers *5* and upper clainping plate engaged thereby.

The plungers *5* are disposed in an upright or vertical position and are movable vertically in the bearings *l2*, the lower ends of said plunger rods *5* being secured by suitable keys or cotter pins *19* in bearings *20* on the opposite ends el the yoke or cross head *6*. These plunger rods *5* are made adjustable in the bearings *20* to perinit a variation in the elevation of the upper clamping plate *2* relative to the lower clamping plate *l* and for this purpose are each provided with a series of apertures *22* one above the other, either of which is adapted to receive the locking'pins *19*,

lt is apparent from the foregoing deserii tion that the lower ends of the plungers *5* where they are connected to the cross head *6* below the table top are adjustable on said cross-head while the upper ends are rnovable through and seine distance above the bearings *12* and also above the table top *l* and plate *1l* and are s aced a sullicient distance apart to perinit the free play of the movable clainp *2*- and mail mattei' which lnay be placed between the clainps.

The clamping plate *1 is slidably interlocked with the undercut ribs or ways *l1* of the plate *at* and for this purpose its opposite longitudinal edges are provided with lengthwise llanges *2 5* which vride in the grooves forrned by the undercut guides *11*, said plate preferably consisting of an open frame oi slightly greater width but of less length than ordinary letters.

The central portions oi the opposite longitudinal edges of the plate *l* are provided with central recesses *26* preterably formed by cutting away portions ci the flanges *25* and are also formed with additional recesses *27* located at opposite sides of and equi-distant from the recesses *26* for the reception of elastic bands or straps *3* ol rubber or its equivalent, the lower portions of which are let into transverse grooves *lill* in the under side olli the. plate *-.l.* in alinenient with the reeesses *27* so as to prevent lrietion betr-.een the band *3** and underlying portion oll the plate *4;* when thel elaiuping plate *t* is being inserted into and reinored l`roin the gu'ifles *-l 1*. y

lhe upper clamping plate *i2* whieh is of substantially the saine torni and diinensions as the lower plate'*`l.-* is provided with opposite lengthwise ribs or llanges *30* and the inner sides ol'Y said. plate adjacent to the llanges *30*- are torined with T-shaped slots *3l* opening lroin the inner edges thereolL for the reeeption olt the ends of the elastic bands -*.`l--*, whieh latter are provided with enlarged heads *4532-* which are oli greater area than the elongated portions or bases oi the slots `l*- in which the adjacent ends ot the bands are inserted to rest against: the top laee ol' the plate and prevent withdrawal olI the ends ola the bands theretroni. rl'hese bands *2S*- are tensioned to nornially draw the plates together as shown in Figs. Al and 5 when .no inail inatter is present between theni. 'the lengthwise llanges *30* on the opposite edges olI the plates *2* overlie the recesses *JG* and *27*-.

Vl'lte upper ends of the plunger-s --*5-* are provided with inwardly projecting shoultlers` which normally lie in the reeesses *2G* directly beneath the overhanging llanges *3U* of the upper elainping plate *2* when the plungers are in their extreine down position so that when the plungers are elevated by the l'orward ntoif'enient ol' the incline *-9* against the roller *-.7*-, the shoulder *I3-fl* will engage the. under sides of the overlying flanges ot the plate *2*- and thereby elevate said. plate against the, action of the elastic bands *4l*- a sullieient distance to perlnit a bundle ol letters :is *al* te be placed between the opposite l'orwardly extending ends ol the bands *il-*- and upon the lower elainping plate. *-l whereupon the plunger *8* is nioved by hand rearwardly allowing the roller to ride down the incline *l*- and thereby perinitting the cross `head *tl* with the plungers *5* and upper clamping plate, *2* to be drawn downwardly by the retracting action ol the bands until the upper clamping plate *-2*- encounters the upper side of the package or bundle olI let ters *a* whereupon the bundle ol letters are iirinly bound together between the ehi-inps *l* and *2* bv the elastic bands the cross head *o and plunger *-5*- eontinuing their downward inorenient by gravity as the plunger *8** is tereed to its extreine rearward position. l he horizontal distance between the extreino lower and lill) upper edges of the incline -9-y of the plunger -8- is sufficient to separate or elevate the upper clamping plate -2'- from the lower plate -1- for the reception of the maximum number of letters or other mail matter which might be desired to bind in one bundle or package, although it is'evident that the degree of movement of the upper clamping plate -2- may Ybe varied `by varying the incline of the plunger. d

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the upper ends of the plungers as the shoulder -34-- simply engage and elevate the clamping plate -2- as the plunger -8- is drawn forwardly but are free t'o continue their movement independentlyof said plate when the latter is brought into engagement with the upper side of the bundle of letters upon the extreme rearward movement of the plunger -8- whereupon the clamps with the letters firmly held between them may be readily withdrawn from the support 4- and laid aside and the operation repeated for forming another package-of letters with another set of clamps. When these clamps reach their destined station for distribution they may be placed in a similar machine and separated in the manner described to permit the letters to be withdrawn after which they `areallowed to be drawn together by their elastic bands upon the release of the plungers -5- by the rearward movement of the plunger -8-, said clamping plates being then ready for reuse in forming another package.

The operation briefly described is as follows: The mail clerk first selects and bunches the mail matter destined for a certain station together and then slides or inserts the lower clamping plate 1- into the guide 11- on the plate 4 which holds it against vertical movement, care being taken to bring .the recess --26- of the plate -linto registration with the upper ends -34- of the plungers -5-, it being understood that the upper clamping plate -1-. is held against the lower plate -2- by the retracting bands -3-- as seen in Figs.V 4 and 5. Now by drawing the plunger 8- forwardly by means of the hand piece 1G- until the roller -7- rests u on the horizontal bearing -17-, the p ungers -5- will be elevated and brought into` engagement with the flanges -30- thereby raising and holding the clamping. plate -2- vin its extreme upward position as shown in Figs.

said bands also serving to force the plungers --fpand par-ts connected thereto downwardly until the plate -2- is brought into engagement with the package of letters after which the plungers -5- and said parts descend by gravity to their eXtreme downward-limit of movement. The clamping plates land -2- with the package of letters firmly held between them may now be withdrawn from the guides l1- of the plate Lland laid aside for transmission to its destination whereupon another set of clamping plates may be inserted in the machine and the operation repeated to form another package of letters.

llt will beobserved that the top clamping plate -2- is provided with opposite lengthwise openings divided by a cross bar to permit visual inspection of the address and denomination of the stamp whenthe letters are held between the clamps.

What we claim is:

1. In a mail packeting machine, a pair of separable vclamps and yielding connections between them and holding means for one of the clamps.

2. In a mail packeting machine, a pair of separable clamping plates, a fixed guide in w ich one of the clamps is slidable and elastic means for drawing said plates toward each other.

3. In a mail packeting machine, a pair of separable clamps, elastic means for drawing said clamps toward each other, means for holding one of the clamps, and movable means for engaging and separating the clamps against the action of said elastic means.

4. In a mail packeting machine, a guide,

'separable clamping plates one of which is movable into and out of said guide, yielding means connecting said plates, and means for moving the other plate away from the one in the guide.

5. In a mail packeting machine,.a pair of separable clamps, and elastic means for drawing them toward each other, holding means for one of theclamps, and means for moving and holding the other clamp against the actionof said elastic means.

6. ln a mail packeting machine, a pair of separable clamps, holding means for one of the clamps, means for separating the other clamp therefrom, and retracting means for the movable clamp.

7. In a mail packeting machine, a fiXed guide, va .clamp slidably interlocked with said lguide and removable therefrom, a secondy clamp movable to and from the first named clamp, elastic connections between the clamps, a movable incline, and means actuated" by the movement of said incline formoving the second clamp from the iirst named clamp against the action of said elastic connection.

8. In a mail packeting machine, a pair of In Witness whereof We have hereunto set separable clamps and elastic connections our hands this 27th day of April 1908. between them, in combination With holding HENRY W. REIFEN STEIN. means for one of the clamps7 reciprocating CHARLES J. FCX.

5 means for actuating the other clamp against Witnesses:

the action of said elastic means, and means H. E. CHASE,

for actuating said reciprocating means. C. M. MCCORMACK. 

